Arn't you over intellectualising the concept of empathy when you should be using emotivivity as a basis for your arguement?

No, just not assigning qualities to animals just because I feel I would have them if I were one of their species. The evidence for existence or lack thereof of emotions would be an intellectual undertaking.

_________________With friends like Guido, you will not have enemies for long.

“Intellect is invisible to the man who has none” Arthur Schopenhauer

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."Albert Einstein

Could be fear or just being curious. When one of our cats crawled under the bed to die, the other cat and the dogs all were freaked out when I shoved the dead cat into the big black trash bag and carried it into the garage. They do not stay around me when I have a big black trash bag out even now.

_________________With friends like Guido, you will not have enemies for long.

“Intellect is invisible to the man who has none” Arthur Schopenhauer

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits."Albert Einstein

"....we were immediately struck during the video by the phenomena we observed," Anderson said, "because we know chimpanzees are capable of a wide range of emotions very much akin to human emotions."

Craig Stanford, co-director of the University of Southern California Jane Goodall Research Center, called the studies’ findings interesting, but said that although humans and chimpanzees share similar emotions to some degree -- fear, anger, empathy -- ...."

And then, "The researchers, reporting in the April 27 issue of the scientific journal Current Biology, say their observation adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that chimps have a rich emotional life."

Craig Stanford, co-director of the University of Southern California Jane Goodall Research Center, called the studies’ findings interesting, but said that although humans and chimpanzees share similar emotions to some degree -- fear, anger, empathy -- ...."

You happen to catch the rest of it? You know, the part where Standford indicates the danger in extrapolating on the chimps' perception of death? Arguing that something could be true because it is possible isn't exactly a sound position. What about the instance where some chimps "played house" with the ribcage of a dead antelope?

Craig Stanford, co-director of the University of Southern California Jane Goodall Research Center, called the studies’ findings interesting, but said that although humans and chimpanzees share similar emotions to some degree -- fear, anger, empathy -- ...."

You happen to catch the rest of it? You know, the part where Standford indicates the danger in extrapolating on the chimps' perception of death? Arguing that something could be true because it is possible isn't exactly a sound position. What about the instance where some chimps "played house" with the ribcage of a dead antelope?

Gamble much?

I haven't gambled since I was 10 years old. I was on the ferry between Ireland and Liverpool and got hooked on a slot machine. Lost every pence I had in my little pocket and realized what a hazard gambling is. Have since stayed away. It was a good lesson and god bless my parents for letting me have it!

I posted 3 links.

I did catch that part about the chimps playing with the ribcage of the dead antelope in Standford's observations but didn't include it in the quote because I don't think it's relevent. I've pulled many a "wish-bone" in my life. Sometimes I 'won' and sometimes I 'lost', but I never put any money on it .... especially after that incident with the slot machine.

I've also seen many carcasses in my lifetime ... and I am always curious about them. I usually examine them quite closely. I'm interested to see how the bugs get in there .... and how quickly. I'm curious about the process of decay and how the earth reabsorbs them. I'm fascinated abot how decay ultimately feeds new life. I love finding bones!

"....we were immediately struck during the video by the phenomena we observed," Anderson said, "because we know chimpanzees are capable of a wide range of emotions very much akin to human emotions."

Craig Stanford, co-director of the University of Southern California Jane Goodall Research Center, called the studies’ findings interesting, but said that although humans and chimpanzees share similar emotions to some degree -- fear, anger, empathy -- ...."

And then, "The researchers, reporting in the April 27 issue of the scientific journal Current Biology, say their observation adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that chimps have a rich emotional life."

I defy anybody to tell me that what you are witnessing in the picture (link) is NOT a heart-rending expression of love & grief...

Seriously? I compel you to offer evidence supporting just that.

"The sorrow that lies in dear, dumb eyes"

If you need it explaining, there'd be no point in explaining...

I love it. I'm not saying that you're an atheist, but I just love it when I hear stuff like this from them. There actually used to be one on the board here arguing as you are. Faith apparently knows no bounds.